1886 trip to Caloundra

 The following Letter to the Editor describes a trip from Brisbane through Pumicestone Passage to Caloundra, during Easter 1886, by thirty "friends and acquaintances" aboard the steamer Mavis.

1886 Easter Trip through Bribie Passage

on the Mavis

Our Easter Trip.

To the Editor. – Sir, - Do you know where and what Caloundra is? I had a vague idea as to its whereabouts from seeing the place on the map, but I must confess that, having largely discounted the various reports I had previously heard of the place, I had no idea as to what it was like till this last Easter, when an opportunity presented itself and was promptly seized for visiting the place.  

The steamer Mavis was secured by Mr. Isaac Markwell, and in possession of a neatly got-up ticket and the necessary blanket, toothbrush, &c., I joined the boat at Messrs. Campbell’s wharf a few minutes before 6 p.m. on Thursday, the 22^nd instant, and found myself one of a party of about 30, mostly friends and acquaintances, all bound on the same errand.  

Starting soon after, the run down the river commenced, and in due course we crossed the bay and took the passage between Bribie and the mainland.  This passage should be gone through to be able to realise what it is.  We did not get through that night, as in the small hours of the morning, when negotiating a particularly intricate spot called familiarly “the double u’s”, in the darkness our genial skipper took the wrong side of a beacon, and, with a falling tide, it was soon evident that we were securely beached for at least 24 hours.  About 5 a.m. a boat party left for Caloundra on relief bent, and returned shortly before dinner-time with the intelligence that two boats were on the way to our rescue.  One of the boats which arrived soon after was a splendid cutter, owned and sailed by the old identity and fisherman, Sam Leach.  He did good service, as he took away a considerable portion of our skipper’s cargo, as well as about a dozen of our passengers with their dunnage.  Other two boats took a smaller share of both.

Life on the Mavis on Good Friday was enjoyable, although she was hard aground.  Much bathing and fishing were indulged in, and were provocative of amusement, especially to the onlookers.  One gentleman, in particular, after bathing, started down the channel minus his small clothes, on fishing bent, and his sudden and unexpected flounderings, when he struck a soft patch, were hugely enjoyed by the onlookers; and his frantic efforts to extricate himself were no doubt greatly assisted by the enthusiastic cheers from the boat. 

Excursion to Caloundra
Map from 1983 excursion by R.G.S.A. to 
commemorate the first trip of the Mavis.
Source: James Schroeder Campbell collection

We got off the ground early next morning, and arrived at the Caloundra jetty about 6 a.m.  Breakfast over, nearly all who remained by the boat paid a visit to the observatory on Mr. Bulcock’s selection, whence a splendid view of the Pacific was obtained; to the telegraph office, to send messages of safe arrival to friends in Brisbane; and then on to the heads, for the views, to bathe in the rollers, and to partake of an al fresco luncheon on Mr. Moffatt’s veranda.  The land owned by Mr. Moffatt, originally a mineral selection of 320 acres, constitutes in the minds of most persons the pick of Caloundra, and its fortunate owner is to be congratulated on the foresight displayed by him in securing such a beautiful sight.  The Caloundra Heads are comprised in it, and the views from the different elevated portions are unsurpassed in coast scenery in Queensland.  

The cliffs on the seaside are a study for the geologist and the lover of nature, as also are the rocks at the foot, in places as level as a pavement and strewed with boulders and logs of petrified wood.  Not affecting a knowledge of geology, I am not able to give any description of the formation, or the nature of the rocks, but I could and did enjoy to the full the wonderful appearances presented by them in the face of the cliff and on the beach.  

Plenty of beché de mer, sea anemones, shells, &c., were easily obtainable, but the fish were shy, owing doubtless to the high wind which prevailed, not only on the Saturday, but also on Easter Day, and many were greatly disappointed thereat, enough and in variety of fish were, however, caught to show the capabilities of the place, and the spectacle of a large rock cod, computed to weigh at least 2 cwt. lying on the beach near Mr. North’s selection (where caught) in close proximity to a decent sized shark (also caught at the same time and place), proved conclusively to the incredulous (and I confess I was one) that the recent descriptions of the large cod caught were not a fable, and if at all, were only slightly exaggerated.  

Monday, at 2.30 a.m., saw us on our way to Brisbane, which, after an uneventful and rather tedious passage, was safely reached at 2.15 p.m., in time for those, who had a fancy that way, to go and see our gallant army storm and defend Brisbane.  I think I may safely add that all were well pleased with the trip, and especially with having made the acquaintance of Caloundra and its inhabitants, who all seemed pleased with us and made us welcome.

Yours, &c., ONE OF THE PARTY.

REFERENCES

Letter to the Editor entitled Our Easter trip by 'One of the Party"
The Telegraph (Brisbane) Sat 1 May 1886 p. 2 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article174706179

Map from Information Leaflet for the Excursion to Campbellville - 26 January 1983. Royal Geographical Society of Australasia. 5 pages. The excursion commemorated the centenary of the first trip of the paddle-wheel steamer Mavis on 26 January 1883. Held in: James Schroeder Campbell (1913-1989) collection, BIHS.

FURTHER READING

Backward Glance - Coastal and River vessels of Yesteryear
https://www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/news/backward-glance-coastal-and-river-vessels-of-yesteryear-161219

The steamer Mavis was launched in 1883. The Week (Brisbane) Sat 6 Jan 1883 p. 8 http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article183696488

1894 holiday on Bribie

The following article from 1894 describes a camping trip to Bribie Island by fifty-five members of Alfred Shaw and Co who cast off the "close atmosphere of Queen street" and reveled in the sandy seashore and beauty of Bribie Island.

1894 Easter Trip to Bribie

on the Tarshaw

Easter Picnic. Alfred Shaw and Co.

Exactly four years ago, shortly after the famous 1890 flood, the above firm generously gave their employees a four days' picnic at Amity Point in recognition of their services in coping with that terrible disaster. This year as Easter was approaching another four days' picnic was arranged amongst the employees and employers, this time in recognition of the mutual good feeling existing. At 8 p.m. on Thursday, the time arranged for starting, saw the Tarshaw lying at her old accustomed place, lighted from stem to stern, as gaily as if she herself had life and seemed to join in the greetings of those who came tripping aboard all dressed in that costume that all who go to the island shores know so well. Fifty-five all aboard fiddling, singing, and a hum of voices like that of many hives, and the snug little steamer cast off her lines for Bribie.

To give you an idea of what the Tarshaw looked like,
here is the ship Tarshaw anchored at Pettigrew's wharf, Maroochydore, 1882.
Source: State Library of Queensland, negative 4357

The trip down the river was enlivened with music and singing. The  run across the bay was appreciated after the close atmosphere of Queen street, and Bribie was reached in the early morning. If stars and bars denote a country, we had a big American company, as bars of burnt cork on the faces of those who slept was the order of the night. Morning dawned, the sailing boats were cast off, the boats lowered, and the company disembarked in double quick time.

  

Tents were rigged and the village formed on a nice sandy shore. The "Elephant," the caterer's large tent, took the lead in size; but the "A1" tent was most envied. The experience gained by the previous trip taught the party that grouping together in lots to suit tents was the most satisfactory; and of course every group must have its name. The "Toomdoongihanigan" stenciled on the side of one is still puzzling some, and even now some are trying to say it in their sleep. The "Can't be beat," the "Elephant," and the "Up to date" would well become Lytton, the latter most of all. Experience also taught us that a caterer was necessary, and Garget, with his ever pleasant smile, did more than justice can do to him. Fancy, snowy cloths and glass and silver on Bribie to suit the most fastidious. It was a notable fact that nobody was late at meal times.

After boating, fishing, bathing, and all conceivable enjoyments had been indulged in for the day, and when the tent lamps were burning, an impromptu concert was held on the beach, stimulated by the ship's band, the latter being sprung upon us as a surprise. How those woods resounded to the strains of music in the still bright moonlight; it was indeed a novel scene.

The music must have appealed to the reptiles as well as the picknickers, for a large snake was killed amongst the performers to the intense agony of a Toowoomba guest, who offered to pay the bandsmen handsomely if they would keep on all night to draw the snakes away from his chateau. A bush naturalist was also with the party, whose long walks into scrubs made him celebrated ; and this time he will be for ever remembered as Moses in the bullrushes — lost by himself in a morass in the middle of the island from Friday till Saturday morning. All night in a swamp with mosquitoes and leeches and no food was not the thing to get him away from his tent, when he saw it again, just in time to prevent a search party starting.

Monday morning. How the time went by. All fishers up at daylight to get the last chance to angle the top fish, but they were all disappointed, as the long line of fishers on the beach tried all they knew for a good catch. A splash was heard and a cry arose, "Man overboard," from the steamer at anchor. There was rushing to and fro, life lines and belts were thrown down, boats lowered, and as the man was hauled up the ship's side a cheer arose that resounded for miles, and it was generally admitted that he was the biggest catch of the day.

At 12 o'clock all aboard, and off to town. The day was all that could have been desired. In conclusion, if ever there were a ship's company that deserved a word of praise for their never ceasing attention it was this one, from the captain downwards; and when we have our next trip it will not be our fault if he is not there.

REFERENCES
Article: Easter Picnic. The Week (Brisbane) March 30, 1894, p. 14 
Available online through NLA's Trove at http://nla.gov.au/nla.news-article181826876

Photo: The ship Tarshaw anchored at Pettigrew's wharf, Maroochydore, 1882.
State Library of Queensland negative 4357, viewable online at
http://onesearch.slq.qld.gov.au/permalink/f/1upgmng/slq_alma21220015530002061